The Dragons Forward Pack

[TomRedVRiver]

So i'm a part of a few different groups on Facebook that talk a lot of Footy.
A few of the groups in particular have started naming their Origin teams and some of the names that have been put forward are both interesting and exciting, particularly for this club.

These people are not Dragons supporters, they are completely non-biased and are only picking players who they think (on current form) deserve selection.

A few of the players named were Mcinnes at Hooker, De Belin and Vaughan on the bench (some even had De Belin starting at Lock ahead of Merrin/Jackson/Klemmer.
I know it's only Rd 4, but for these players to be suddenly thrusted into contention is a testament to how our pack is doing right now, particularly the players named above.

Mcinnes at hooker for NSW, who would have thought that? But based on current form, i'd say he definitely deserves to be in the mix. What a tough competitor, tackles for days and great service out of dummy half. A cheeky short kicking game as well.

Vaughan and De Belin FINALLY realising their potential and showing the competition what they've got, they would be absolutely dynamic off the bench, It's so good to see them getting the recognition they deserve.

These boys are young and are only getting better. Add Hunt to the mix for next year and we're finals contenders for sure.

 

[Life's Good]

So i'm a part of a few different groups on Facebook that talk a lot of Footy.
A few of the groups in particular have started naming their Origin teams and some of the names that have been put forward are both interesting and exciting, particularly for this club.

These people are not Dragons supporters, they are completely non-biased and are only picking players who they think (on current form) deserve selection.

A few of the players named were Mcinnes at Hooker, De Belin and Vaughan on the bench (some even had De Belin starting at Lock ahead of Merrin/Jackson/Klemmer.
I know it's only Rd 4, but for these players to be suddenly thrusted into contention is a testament to how our pack is doing right now, particularly the players named above.

Mcinnes at hooker for NSW, who would have thought that? But based on current form, i'd say he definitely deserves to be in the mix. What a tough competitor, tackles for days and great service out of dummy half. A cheeky short kicking game as well.

Vaughan and De Belin FINALLY realising their potential and showing the competition what they've got, they would be absolutely dynamic off the bench, It's so good to see them getting the recognition they deserve.

These boys are young and are only getting better. Add Hunt to the mix for next year and we're finals contenders for sure.

Hopefully none will be chosen for the sake of our club. Sure rep footy can lift the player to a new level but we can't afford to lose our best assets, our forwards, when they are so clearly putting us on the map. I still have visions of 2011 when we were flying high only to hit a wall partially built by Ricky Stuart selecting all and sundry for SOO. We all know what happened next.

 

[possm]

In one way I feel proud these players are being spoken about as SOO players however, I'd rather none of the Dragons be selected for SOO.

 

[SBD82]

I got smashed in the NSW team 2017 thread for suggesting JDB might come into contention for the 13 jersey this year.

I think Merrin is ahead of him, has been there before and finished last year in great form (haven't seen much of him this year but I'm told he's going well.)

I don't think JDB gives as much value off the bench. Big minute player and I think much better as a starting player, but if he keeps his form up he will definitely be part of the conversation.

 

[TomRedVRiver]

I got smashed in the NSW team 2017 thread for suggesting JDB might come into contention for the 13 jersey this year.

I think Merrin is ahead of him, has been there before and finished last year in great form (haven't seen much of him this year but I'm told he's going well.)

I don't think JDB gives as much value off the bench. Big minute player and I think much better as a starting player, but if he keeps his form up he will definitely be part of the conversation.

Merrin had a blinder of a year last year, but he's started this year poorly. I'm not sure who is telling you that he's going well, but personally I think there's something going on there, he looks unfit and he has a hammy strapped up. His minutes have been drastically reduced... Hence why JDB is suddenly in contention.

In relation to what people are saying above, I hear you, I really do, but we can't take possible Origin selection away from these guys. It's the highest honour in the game and if they get picked, we have to cover their positions and be happy for them.

 

[The Doc]

The pigs are killing it for us... doing a great job... so is McInness.
But SOO can f#ck right off!!! We could be without Dugan, JDB, Frizz and Vaughan.
How bout they take Lafai and Mcrone instead.
And use Mr im a future Origin rep Mitch Rein instead of McInness.
Leave our team untouched please. The last thing we need is mary having another excuse to use.

 

[thebigredv]

Way too early for this talk. Yes it's good right now, great in fact but it will only take one shocker and some will be crying for them to go back to reserves.

 

[The Doc]

Even Aitkens has been mentioned as a possible SOO debutant.
Yet in many peoples eyes (saints fans) he is already bordering being dropped.
SOO talk now is way to early imo.
However it goes to show we are performing not too badly to have 6 out of our starting 13 being talked about as possibles for origin after 3 rounds.

 

[Crush]

I am not a fan of SOO. 2011 killed it for me. 10W/11 before origin then the wheels fell off.
I don't even enjoy watching it!
Its just a media hype up BS series that screws with club footy every year.
Last year we lost dugan for a month, year before that we lost Merrin for a month.
Not a fan

 

[Gareth67]

Feelings are mixed on this one , as T.R.River has said , it is indeed a great honour to be selected at this level , to be recognised for their efforts . However on the flip side , their absence would most definitely be felt .

Our pack does have some back- up , that could replace those players , however should injuries occurr then we may find ourselves in trouble . This competition is just too evenly balanced , and the slightest hiccup for any team , could see them drop out of the eight , to the ' also rans ' .

As LifesGood mentioned , the memories of how Ricky ( shades ) Stuart decimated our 2011 team is still ever so fresh and I would hate to see that occur once again .

 

[possm]

I am not a fan of SOO. 2011 killed it for me. 10W/11 before origin then the wheels fell off.
I don't even enjoy watching it!
Its just a media hype up BS series that screws with club footy every year.
Last year we lost dugan for a month, year before that we lost Merrin for a month.
Not a fan

Yes SOO was part of the reason however, remember that Bennett announced he was going to Newcastle and Gasnier announced he was retiring. Bennett seemed to not be able to get our players up for each game for the rest of the year after his announcement.

 

[SBD82]

Merrin had a blinder of a year last year, but he's started this year poorly. I'm not sure who is telling you that he's going well, but personally I think there's something going on there, he looks unfit and he has a hammy strapped up. His minutes have been drastically reduced... Hence why JDB is suddenly in contention.

In relation to what people are saying above, I hear you, I really do, but we can't take possible Origin selection away from these guys. It's the highest honour in the game and if they get picked, we have to cover their positions and be happy for them.

I think a part of me wanting to see them play is also that I want to see NSW win.

Unfortunately I hold no delusions about our premiership hopes this year. It'd be nice to see the other team that I support get up.

 

[Crush]

I think a part of me wanting to see them play is also that I want to see NSW win.

Unfortunately I hold no delusions about our premiership hopes this year. It'd be nice to see the other team that I support get up.

At the risk of being blasted for accepting mediocrity I don't think its all about winning the premiership.
Ofcourse that is a big factor but there is also the enjoyment of watching the team I support win games during the regular season.
Just because dragons don't have a realistic chance of winning the premiership this year doesn't mean that I don't want us to win as many games as possible.
I don't want dragons players playing SOO because I want the strongest possible team to line up for dragons every week.
Except maybe McCrone, I don't mind if he plays origin.

 

[BennyV]

At the risk of being blasted for accepting mediocrity I don't think its all about winning the premiership.

Ahh, so you and our management have this in common!!!

Ofcourse that is a big factor but there is also the enjoyment of watching the team I support win games during the regular season.

That's a shame, the similarities seem to have finished...

 

[Crush]

Ahh, so you and our management have this in common!!!

That's a shame, the similarities seem to have finished...

Do you disagree with my comments Benny?

 

[mickeylane]

I've been saying Mciness will play origin next year - don't happen this year not with Farrah stil around.

Vaughan a smokey
Frizzell a certainty
JDB misses out
THOMPSON misses
DUGAN misses out to Hayne at right centre

 

[mickeylane]

Should have full squad around SOO happy days!!

 

[BennyV]

Do you disagree with my comments Benny?

Usually!

Nah, look I agree that I want to see the team play entertaining footy and win games, but I also think that there needs to be an ultimate goal that's measurable and that would be winning a premiership (or premierships). There should be some plan in place to make that happen (which is a combo of many, many factors). IMO, Mary isn't a premiership coach, McCrone isn't a premiership 7, so why are they there? If #1 isn't achievable this year, what are we doing to get there next year? And what is being done to ensure that continued success.

Mary has been very open in the past about his targets of 'winning 50% of games' and 'making the 8 only'. This isn't good enough. Winning games in the short term is fine, but many of us want longer term success. When we say we support the dragons, I want other people to be bitter, twisted haters born from jealousy and pettiness. At the moment, they laugh and pitty us. Winning games here and there does nothing to change that.

 

[giboz71]

Mary has been very open in the past about his targets of 'winning 50% of games' and 'making the 8 only'.

He actually said this?

When?

 

[Crush]

Usually!

Nah, look I agree that I want to see the team play entertaining footy and win games, but I also think that there needs to be an ultimate goal that's measurable and that would be winning a premiership (or premierships). There should be some plan in place to make that happen (which is a combo of many, many factors). IMO, Mary isn't a premiership coach, McCrone isn't a premiership 7, so why are they there? If #1 isn't achievable this year, what are we doing to get there next year? And what is being done to ensure that continued success.

Mary has been very open in the past about his targets of 'winning 50% of games' and 'making the 8 only'. This isn't good enough. Winning games in the short term is fine, but many of us want longer term success. When we say we support the dragons, I want other people to be bitter, twisted haters born from jealousy and pettiness. At the moment, they laugh and pitty us. Winning games here and there does nothing to change that.

Benny, you are too deep for me. I couldn't care less what other people think of me when I say I support the dragons.
I just want to see my team win games.
Good news is, with tedesco and bird coming next year we should win the comp